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Sungai Kolok (สุไหงโกลก) is a border town in Narathiwat, Thailand, just north of the Malaysian border. The town on the Malaysian side of the border is Rantau Panjang which is in the state of Kelantan.

Sungai Kolok is popular among Malaysians for its shopping and infamous entertainment delights. Tourism however has taken a knocking since 2005 as several bombs, blamed on southern Thai Muslim separatists, have rocked the town.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By train

Sungai Kolok is the railhead on the east coast branch of the State Railways of Thailand's [1] southern line. There are two departures daily to Bangkok, at 11:30 (rapid) and 14:20 (express), both stopping at Yala, Hat Yai, Surat Thani and many other towns en route. The 11:30 train arrives in Bangkok at 08:45, and the 14:20 arrives at 10:30, both the following morning. Although there is a rail link across the Golok River to Rantau Panjang (in Kelantan, Malaysia), there are no cross-border passenger train services.

[edit] By bus

Head to Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Ko Samui and other destinations by direct air-con buses from Thanon Wongwiwat bus terminal. Minivans depart to Hat Yai, Narathiwat, Pattani.

To/from Bangkok: Air-con buses by The Transport Co. Ltd (บริษัท ขนส่ง จำกัด (บขส.), bor-kor-sor) run between Bangkok southern bus terminal (สายใต้, sai-tai) and Sungai Kolok bus terminal daily. The distance is ~1227km and normally takes 15 hours.

• 24 seats VIP bus (พิเศษ, piset) costs 1365B, departs from Bangkok at 1715. On the reverse, the departure is at 1130.
• 40 seats Class 1 C bus (ม1ข) costs 880B, departs from Bangkok at 1800 and Sungai Kolok at 1530.
• 47 seats Class 2 bus (ม2) costs 706B, departs from Bangkok at 2100, Sungai Kolok at 0800.

[edit] By road

[edit] To Malaysia

The "Harmony Bridge" across the Golok River connects Sungai Kolok with the Malaysian town of Rantau Panjang. The Thai border checkpoint is about 1km from the railway station; a motorcycle taxi should cost 20 baht. The Malaysian immigration checkpoint is just across the bridge and can be easily walked. Once in Malaysia, you can either catch a bus or taxi to Kota Bharu or Pasir Mas where you can catch trains to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. See the Rantau Panjang article for more details.

[edit] Get around

Take a motorcycle taxi. The rate to the border is 20 baht.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit][add listing] Do

Traditional Massage around 270 baht per two hour session. There is ancient thai massage at Hotel Genting, Hotel Marina and Hotel Tara. Once you enter, the boss will ring the bell, the the messager girl will line up sitting in a show room with their number. So, choose which girl you prefer. Then the boss will show you the room. Once inside, change your cloth to a loose massage trouser. Then the girl will come bringing a bucket of water to wash your foot.

[edit][add listing] Eat

When you cross Malaysia Border to Sungaikolok and waiting for a bus to Samui, Phuket, Bangkok. Near Bus station there is a Thai Style food with reasonable price called " Mak Deang Restaurant " (Bangalow Hotel) ".

Opposite the Police Station is a lane where stalls are set up for the night selling sea food and others. The corner shop serves not only sea food and beer. They have fresh oysters from Surat Thani.

[edit][add listing] Drink

If beer is what you are looking for, then you are in luck.

Beer is found in most of the restaurants, bars and even in massage parlours.

Heineken, Singha, Chang - you name it.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Asia Hotel

• Genting Hotel ***

• Grand Garden Hotel

• Marina

• Merlin Hotel

• Balun Hotel

[edit] Stay Safe

The Insurgency in the southern provinces of thailand is ongoing, and attacks on trains and border posts have occured. Check for any safety recommendations from respective governments before going to the southern provinces.

[edit] Get out

The usual stop after Sungai Kolok is either Hat Yai, or Rantau Panjang in Kelantan (the northernmost province of east coast of Peninsular Malaysia). You can also head to Pattani to expore Thailand's southern Muslim provinces.

Hat Yai ← Yala ←

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